Delivered by Gerard van Bohemen, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations 15 December 2015

We thank the Spanish Permanent Representative for his briefing in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737.

New Zealand is a strong supporter of the mandate of the Committee. We commend the Panel of Experts on their good work and encourage both the Committee and the Panel to continue their efforts.

Like others here today, we are pleased to note that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was adopted on 18 October, 90 days after endorsement of the plan by this Council. Adoption was an important milestone in the process of ensuring that the international community can have full confidence that Iran’s nuclear program will be used for exclusively peaceful purposes.

We are pleased to note that JCPOA participants, particularly Iran, are taking the necessary first steps toward full implementation of the nuclear agreement.

UN members have also begun the process of revising their domestic settings to reflect the provisions of the Agreement. This includes drafting changes to allow for the removal of sanctions and for snapback arrangements, should these be required.

This process is by no means straightforward, and we are acutely aware of the challenges faced by small states in particular in implementing complex sanctions regimes.

Member States will continue to require guidance to clarify and implement obligations under resolution 2231. In order for the Agreement to be fully and effectively implemented, it is important that all Member States and private sector entities are ready to act in advance of Implementation Day. This Council has an important role to play in assisting them to ensure that they are.

In the intervening period, we remind Member States that all existing sanctions against Iran remain in force. We note with concern the Panel’s recent finding of a violation of para 5 of resolution 1747, although we note it did not reach a conclusion as to whether this represented a wilful violation on Iran’s part.

Additionally, the Panel has concluded its investigation into Iran’s test launch of a ballistic missile on 10 October. New Zealand notes with concern the Panel’s conclusion that the launch of the Emad missile was a violation of resolution 1929.

Such actions risk undermining confidence in, and support for the Agreement and jeopardises its full and effective implementation. We urge all parties, in particular Iran, to approach JCPOA implementation with the same positive intent and good faith that enabled the agreement to be concluded.

We further note that even after Implementation Day Iran will remain subject to para 3 of Annex B of Resolution 2231, which calls upon Iran not to undertake any ballistic missile launches.